Selective device



Sept. 19, 1933. E, p BANCRQFT 1,927,697

SELECTIVE DEVICE Filed Nov. 20,1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ERWIN P.BA NCROFT ATTOR Y Sept. 19, 1933. E. P. BANCROFT SELECTIVE DEVICE FiledNov. 20, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ERWIN P. BANCROFT ATTORNE Sept.19, 1933. P, BANCRQFT 1,927,697

SELECTIVE DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1931 5 Sheets-+Sheet 3 lNVENTOR ERWIN P.BANQROFT Sept. 19, 1933. JE. P. BANCROFT 1,927,697

EEEEEEEEEEEEE CE eeeeeeeeeeee t 4 Sept. 19, 1933. E. P. BANCROFTSELECTIVE DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5- w M m C 1 ON TA Nm W w IN a W A q\\\\ mM %W Y m UK M\ B Patented Sept. 19, 1933 SELECTIVEDEVICE Erwin P. Bancroft, Brooklyn,

N. Y., assignor t International Communications Laboratories, 4 7 P Inc.,Newark, N. J., a corporation of New York 9'- Application November 20,1931 Serial N0. 576,262

Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in selecting devices suitable foruse in printing telegraph or other similar systems wherein amultiplicityof selections is made from a code of sig- .nals, such as thefive-unit or Baudot code.

The object of my invention is to provide a selecting device which iscapable of operation at high speeds, which is quiet and reliable, and inwhich shocks usually associated with rapid operation have been reducedto a minimum.

Selecting devices which have heretofore been used in connection withprinting telegraph and the like apparatus may, in general, be dividedinto two types; those in which the selectionis made by means ofpermutation bars or discs, and those in which the so-called chainselection is used. In the latter, the selection is made by successivelydividing a total number of selections by two, for example, into halves,quarters, eighths, sixteenths, thirty-seconds, until finally aparticular selection is made. A chain type selector is shown inPfannenstiehl Patent 1,583,- 365.

In the permutation bar type selector, all of the elements from which oneis to be selected normally attempt to move into the selected position,but only the particular one in front of which an aligned group of slotsappears is allowed to complete its selecting operation. Thus, for eachselection; a large number of elements, from which one isselected, aremoved and considerable power is wasted.

In the ordinary type of chain selector, the effect of loose bearings,slides, etc., is cumulative and may materially affect the accuratelocation of the final selected position. Each type, thus, has itsdisadvantages.

According to my invention, the principle of 40 chain selection is usedbut has been applied in such a way that final selected position can be'made with any desired degree of accuracy without, at the same time,requiring extreme accuracy during the intermediate selecting positions.According-to my invention, the elements from which one is to be selectedare first divided into groups and the particular group selected, thenthe particular element in the selected group is determined. This elementis then operated and caused to perform whatever. function is assignedthereto.

I have shown my invention in a form siutable for use in connectionwithan ordinary type-.

writer wherein pull bars are substituted for the 5 links whichordinarily operate the type bars and perform other functions necessaryfor the auto- 'tions in the code employed;

plurality of slidable switches.

groups of eight pull 'bars.

'ing the others for performing functions in therecording of messagetext, such "the platen' to. its normal case "ofpage recording,

matic printing of messages either in tape or page form. p While :myinvention is particularly suitable to the operation of type-printingmechanisms, it is also suitable for operation as a switching devicewherein the pull bars may :serve .to close contacts instead of operatingtype bars,-or:wherein the contacts may be closed directly bythe meansprovided for selecting the pull bars. Thus,v as many difierent circuitsmay .be 'controlled over a single wire as there are combina- Aparticular advantage of. the selector which I havedevised is thatpractically the entire op i eration is of a'positive nature ascontrasted with the permissive operation of the usual type ofpermutation selector. a

The deviceas-illustrated is controlled; by liveselectingmagnetswhichrespond in various combinations to the transmittedsignals. Each se- .lecting magnet controls a cam. Upon res-ponding tothe code signals, the. magnets cause the cams to be brought intooperative relation with a rotatable switching member which carries aThese switches are moved in accordance, with their engagement with theoperated cams and .form various paths for a positioning orguide pinwhich is capableof being set to eight dif-. ferent positions. Associatedwith this guide pin are four selecting pins spaced apart so that-a pinin its movement may be "aligned with-a corresponding pull bar in each offour separate As there are-four of these selecting pins,eachco-operating with eight pull bars, it, follows that, by selecting aparticular group and a particular-pull'jbar in; the

group, thirty-twov different pull bars may be operated one at a time. i

- .cs Twenty-six of these pull bars may be used for printing the lettersof the alphabet, reservother necessary as the spacing forwardofthe-tape; the shift" of the platen from the lower case to .the uppercase to-permit the printingof figures, punctuating and other specialcharacters; "the, return of position; and, in the the returning of thepaper "carriage to the beginning of -a line, and the feed of ,thepaperforward-for a-new line.

When the message is to'be {recorded on a "tape,

some the pull bars may be assigned"'to.special characters of otherspecial 'functions,'.as .de- 3:10 sired.

As stated, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown the apparatusas designed for operation with live selecting magnets. For this purpose,the signals received over a. telegraph which are shown controlled by theselecting magnets might be arranged to be operated from,

a mechanical selector which, in turn, might be controlled by a singlemagnet or relay ina main telegraph or signalling line. For this purpose,thesingle magnet mechanical distributor disclosed in United StatesPatent No. ..,1,229,201 might be used.

Various features of my invention from the description to follow.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan of the essential parts of the device;

Fig. 2 is a View on line 22 of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 3 is a view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a viewon line 4-4 of Fig. l;

' Fig. 5 shows a detail of the locking mechanism for the bails; 4

Fig. 6 shows a detail of one of the bails;

will be noted Fig. 7 shows a development of the surface of the rotatableswitching cam;

Fig.v 8 is an explanatory view showing the co-operation of'the essentialparts;

' Fig. 9 is a modification of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 shows'a form of stop-start circuit; Referring first to Fig. 1,the rotatable,switching member 1 is mounted on shaft 2 and is arrangedto be coupled to a constantly T013311}? ing shaft 3 by a clutch 4, whichmaybe like that disclosed in United States reissue Patent No. 17,725issued to F. G. Creed July'8,1930.

Clutch4 is under the control of a magnet 5 (see Fig. 4) and, whenreleased by the energize.- tion of magnet 5, couples shaft 2 to theconstantly rotating shaft 3.

A'carriage 6, slidably supported in guides 77' (see Fig. 3) parallel tothe axis of member 1, is provided with a stud 8which engages grooves inthe surface of the member 1 and is capable of being moved to any one ofeightpositions,

through the interaction of stud 8 and the grooves in member 1, as willbe described later.

' thereto an arm 16' which The carriage 6 also carries four selectingpins 9, each having a shoulder-or flange 10 which moves or slides in agroove of a corresponding bail 11, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 6.

Each of the four bails 11 consists of a grooved member 12 rigidlyattached to a yoke having two' downwardly 'extending arms 13, as shownin Fig.6. The two arms of each yoke are rigidly fastened to ahollow'shaft liwhich is rotatably supported on a fixed shaft 15. Eachindividual hollow shaft 14 has rigidly attached is adapted to engagewith a cam 17 (see Fig. 3). The two cams 17 to the left in Fig. 1 arerigidly mounted upon a hollow'shaft' 18, whilethe other two "cams 17 tothe right in Fig. 1 are rigidly mounted on a hollow shaft 19. Thebails'll are thus grouped for operation in pairs, two being'controlledby the camson shaft 18 and two by those 011" shaft 19. A constantlyrotating shaft 20 passes through these two hollow shafts 18 and 19 andsingle revolution clutch 21 or 22, similar to clu ch 44 and i alreadyreferred to and associated, respectively, with the hollow shafts 18 and19. The release of clutch 21 or 22 is effected by corresponding arms 23or 24, when the latter are engaged by a cam 25 (Fig. 7) on the. member1, as will be described later. The release of either clutch 21 or 22will cause shaft 18 or 19 to be rotated one revolution by the shaft 20and thereby cause the rotation of their associated cams 17.

-Prior to the coupling of shaft 18 .or 19 to shaft 20 and depending uponthe position of the slidable knife-edged cam 26 (see Figs. 5 and 7) onmember 1, a locking bar 27 is moved either is supported from the lowerguide 7' (Fig. v2)

by means of screws 29 passing through elongated holes 27 in therbar, soas to allow lateral movement thereof. I

' The locking bar 27 is arranged to lock the bails 11 in pairs throughthe tongues 30 and 31. In the arrangement shown (see Fig. 5), if the bar27 is move'd'to the right, the right-hand bail of each pair will be heldagainst operation, while, if it is to the left, the left-hand bail ofeach pair will be held. Thus, depending upon the position of locking bar27 and depending upon which of the shafts 18 and 19 is rotated, any oneof the four bails 11 may be operated.

Fig. 3 also shows plainly how the arm 16 cooperates with cam 17. When abail 11 is locked by the extension 30 or 31 on bar 27-, its arm 16 doesnot move when the flat or cut-away portion of the cam 17 comes oppositethe end of arm 16. The bails 11 are under constant stress of spring 11'to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction (Figs. 2 and 3). Y

Rigidly fastened to shafts l8 and 19, in addition to cams 17, are earns32 and 33, respectively. Associated with each of earns 32 and 33 is aroller'34 carried by a yoke 35 pivotedat 36 .and

continually spring-pressed against cams 32 and 33 by springs 37 (Fig.2). Mountedon the ends of yokes 35 are operating bails 38 and 39(Fig. 1) arranged to engage notches 40 in pull bars 41.

Clutch members 21 and 22 are normally held against rotation byextensions 23 and 24 on bell crank levers 23 and 24, respectively.Levers 23 and 24 are pivoted at 42 and are springpressed into theposition shown (Fig. 2) by springs 43.

e5 arranged to co-operate with switch 25 (Fig. 7) on member 1. Switch 25is mounted on slide 16 in member 1 and is moved to the left by restorecam 47, and to theright by cam 51 acting on roller 56, when cam 51 isreleased by its associated selecting magnet 50 (Fig. 7). Thus, if themagnet associated with cam 51 is operated during the rotation of member1, cam 25 will be moved to the right and will cooperate with extension45 of bell crank 24 to the latter will remain in its left-hand position.

Under this condition cam switch 25 will cooperate with extension 44 ofbell crank 23 to move stop 23' out of engagement with clutch 21,

Levers 23 and 24 have extensions ,2. The movement of pin 9 will forcethe pull thereby releasing the latter and its associated shaft 18 andcams 1'7 and 32 for rotation.

- The angular location of cam member 25 on member 1 and of theextensions 44 and 45 of bell cranks 23 and 24 is such that the releaseof clutch 21 or 22 occurs near the end of the rotation of member 1 andat such a time that the depression in cams l'7wi1l pass under the endspull bar 41 that is selected-and operated is determined by the positionof the locking bar 2'7 and the shaft 18 or 19 that is released'forrotation. Assume now that member 1 has reached its stop position, thatclutch 22 has been released,

and that the locking bar 27 is positioned as shown in Fig. 5. Shaft 19will have beenreleased for rotation, carrying with it cams 17 and As cam17 rotates, a depressed portion thereon will pass under the ends of arms16 of the right-hand pair of bails 11, freeing both arms 16 for rotationunder tension of spring 11. Only the left-hand arm 16 of the pair willcomplete its movement, since the right-hand one of the pair isrestrained by projection 30 on locking bar 2'7. The rotation of arm 16will carry with it its associated bail 11, moving pin 9 associated withthe latter to the left in Fig.

bar 41,- in front of which the pin 9 is positioned, to the left, placingthe notch .thereon under the operating bail 39.

When the pull bar 41 has been positioned with. its notch 40 beneathoperating bail 39,

' roller 34 will have reached the depressed por tion of cam 33 and yoke35, under tension of spring 37, will move downward, causing bail 39 toengage the notch 40 in pull bar 41 and pulling bar 41 downward As soon.as bail 39 has engaged pull bar.4l, the end'of arm 16 again rides up onthe raised portion of cam 17 and restores ping to its normal position.thereby leaving the carriage 6 free to be moved to a new positioncorresponding to the succeeding code Referring to Fig. 3, there will befive magnets and their associated cams, although but one is shown. Thelocation of the five cams 51, 52,

53,. 54 and 55with respect to switching member 1 is shown in Figs. 3 and7. As shown in Fig. 3, each magnet 50 is provided with an armature 5'7pivoted at "58 and held in a retracted position by the tension spring59. Each armature is provided with an arm 66 pivoted at fil-which'engages a notch 62 in its associated cam 51, 52, 53, 54 or 55.

Each cam 51-55 vis provided. with tension springs 63 which tend to holditin engagement with member 1 when released.

Fig. 10 shows the five magnets 50 and starting magnet 5 controlled bythe line relay 300 and the commutator 301.

The line relay 300 responds. to the transmitted. impulses and causes theoperation of the magnetsin'proper combinationsin accordance withstandard practice.

Referring to Fig. [which shows the developed surface of switching cam 1,slides 64, 65 and 66 are arranged to be moved toward the left by camsurfaces 53, 54- and 55 by means of rollers From the forgeoing descriptwo units of each code or pins 56. individual to each of the-slides.:The

cam surfaces 53, 54 and 55.are normallyheld' out of the path of rollers56 by means of latches Each of these magnets, three in. number,' isoperated by one of the "selectingdmpulses. =The switching member 1normallygrotatesin the direction shown. by the arrowi The operation ofthe magnet 50, controlling camsurface 53, 'will 7 7 allow the latter tomove into the path of roller I 56 on slide 64. As switching memberl'rotates,

slide 64 'willbe forced toward the left, placing the switch 6'7carriedther'ebyin such a position as to open a path"- for guide pin '8toward the right." With the slidef64 in 'theposition shown, the path ofguide pin awnrbe toward .the left. Thus, the operation or nonoperationof the magnet v50, controlling cam 53, willv determine which of the twopathspin 8 will follow. Similarly, the operation of the magnet 50,controlling cam 54', willplace the latter in a position to move slidetoward the left. Slide 65 carries switches 68 and 69 which;iin turn,serve tofurther control the paths opened to guide pin 8. The operationof the magnet 50, .which controls cam 55, will place the latter in aposition to move slide 66 to the left. Slide 66 carries switches 70, 71, 72 and '73.

that, by the operation of the magnets 50, controlling cams 53, 54 and 55in varying combinations, the selecting guide pin 8 may'becaused to takeany one of eightfinal positions 201 to 208 inclusive. For example, ifthe magnets 50 controlling cams 53,54 and 55*are operated in response toappropriate impulses of the signal, slides 64, 65 and 66 willbe moved tothe left'providing a single continuous track for the selecting guide pin8 to position 208. This single continuous track is formed with fixed cam80 as one side and the other side being formed by movable cam 67, fixedcam 16'7, movable cam. 69, fixedcam 169 and'movable cam 73. Y, Cams51-55 inclusive arerestored to their normal latched positions by meansof cams 74 -78 inclusive .on switching member 1.. The fslides64', 65 and66-are restored to their normal. right-v hand position by means ofrestore cam 48. Cam

I surfaces '79 and 80 serve to restore the guide pin by individualselecting magnets 50, in the manner already described; Slides 46. and 49are restored to their normal left-hand position "by means of restore cam47. 5 I

tion, it is seen that signal are utilized to I Each of these switches,in turn, controls the choice of two 0 paths for the guide pin 8. It willthus be seen choose, from four groups of sel'ectable elements, t

the particular group which aselected element is located. 'The remainingunits of each Jcode signal/are used'forj determining; the location ofthe selected element, in the particular group. p .Fig. 8 is anexplanatory view showing the cooperation of theessential, featuresfwhichhave been describ d in detail in, the preceding figures. ThemechanismJn-Fig. 8.;is controlled'by the rotatable switching member 1shown in Figs. '1

and '7. The pin 8 which engages the groove of member ,1 is movedmaccordance with the op carried thereby, and positionsjeach one inalign.

ment with a pullbar 41 offthe associated group.

The cam 26 engages the projection 2810f the bar 27 and moves iteither tothe right or left,

tongues and 31. e r I The cam 25 which engages portions 44'0r45 to.lockthe bails 11 in pairs by means of the of arms 23 or 24 dependingupon the operation of Islide46, operates clutch 21 or 22as the case maybe. We will assume arm'23 is operated and also that arm 27 is moved tothe left by projection 28'engaging cam 26. i

The movementof arm 27 to'the. left locks bail 11 to the'eXtremeleft-bytongue 30 engaging arm 13, while bail 11, the third from the'left, isalso locked by tongue 31 engaging arm 13. The .bails 11 second and. lastfrom the, left are unlocked and free to move. The operation of arm 23operates clutch 21-and shaft 18 rotates'fand causes the rotation of thetwo cams 1'7 to the left and also that of cam 32.

At this time the four pins 9 are in alignment with a pull bar 41 oftheir respective group.

, When the arm 16' of the second or unlocked bail 11 engages the fiatsurface of its cam 17, the bail moves forward and causes. its: pin 9 toengage and push forward the pull bar 41 with which it isaligned andplace the notch in line with bar 38. The arm 16 of the first bail 11.cannot engage the flat surface of its cam 17 as the tongue 30 of thebar 27 engages the arm 13 of the first bail and holds it in a lockedposition.

surface of its cam 32,- it is forced'downward under theinfiuence ofspring 3'7 and engages the notch 49 of the pull bar 41 which is pushedforward by the pin 9 controlled by the second bail 11. p

The operation of this particular bar 41 may either cause a character tobe recorded or may close or open contacts. After'the shaft 18 has madeone rotation the clutch 21 is engaged by the extension 23 of arm 23 andstopsthe rotation of the shaft 18. v

An operation similar to that described takes place when the cam'25,engages of arm 24. In this event clutch 22 is'operated and the portionof the device to the right is rendered opera- I tive.

The operation ofv the device'lis as follows: We will assume that thethree magnets 50,

which control cams 51, 52 and 53 are operatedin response to the linesignals. In each instance the armatures 57 will be attracted,withdrawing the arms from the notches162 of their respective camswinch,- underv the influence of cams 25 and 26 and switch 67 haveperformed springs 63,'cause.them to move toward the face ofthe drumorrotating member '1. v Cam 51 will be inthe path of pin 56 on slide 46and, upon engagement therewith, will cause slide 46 with cam25 'to'moveto the right.

Cam 52 willbe in the: path of pin56 on slide 49 and, upon'engagementtherewith, will cause 7 slide 49 with cam 26 also to, move to the right;

Cam 53 will be in the path of thepin 56 on slide 64 and, upon engagementtherewith, will cause slide 64 with switch 67 also to move to the Themember l'is caused to rotate when mag- ,net 5' attracts the armature 81,allowing the right of switch 67, to the left of switch When roller 34 ofarm 35 engages the flat signal.

165 of December 8, 1925. During the rotation of member 1-, cam .53engaging pin 56 causes the switch 64 to move to the leftQproviding aguide or groove to the right for the pin 8. As the member 1 rotates, pin8enters the groove to the 69, tothe left of switch '72, to position 205.

The movement of pin 8 to this position, also causes a correspondingmovement of the four pins 9 carried by the carriage 6. ,In the position205 each pin 9 is in alignment withthe fifth pull bar 41 of its group.

During the rotation of member 1,ithe cam 51 7 engages pin 56 on slide46, forcing the slide and its cam 25 to the right so it will engage thenose 45 of lever 24 which moves about the bearing 42 and causes theportion 24 to disengage. the

clutch 22, allowing cams 17 to rotate. Prior to thisoperation, cam 52engages pin 56 on slide 49 and forces slide 49 carrying cam 26 to theright. Cam 26 engages extension28 on looking bar 27 and forces it-to theright, thus causing the T-shaped portions'30 and 31 to lock the arms 13of the right-hand bails 11 of each pair; or the left-hand bails '11 ofeach pair. The other bails 11 of each pair are free and'the one on theextreme right, Fig. 1, will operate when the depressed portion of itscam 1'7 passes under the end of arm 16 afte'rshaft 19 has been releasedfor rotation, as already explained. The operation of bail 11 moves itsassociated selecting pin 9 toward the selected pull bar41 (the fifth onecounting left to right in the right-hand group), forcing the latterunder the operating bail 39. l

After theoperated'pin 9 has positioned the pull bar 41 so that the notch40 operating bail 39, roller 34 of arm 35'engages the depressed portionof cam 25 and the arm 35 is forced downward under tension of spring 37and causes the bail. 39 to engage the notch 40 and causes the fifth pullbar 41 to be moved downward to print the proper character or to As soonas bail 39 en closethe proper contact. gages notch 40 and holds the pullbar 41 in the selected position, selecting pin 9 is restored to normaland carriage 6 is free to assume a new position in accordance with thesucceeding code As soon as cams 51, 52 and 53 have performed theirfunctions in moving slides 46,49'and 64, they are restored bycams '74,'75 and 76, respectively, and locked in the restored positions by arms60 engaging'in notches 62. a

During the rotation of member 1 andaf'ter their'function's,slides 46 and49 are'restored to the left by cam 47 and slide 64 to the right by cam48. V I t After acomplete revolution of they member 1, the arm 81engages the clutch 4 and the member 1 is brought to rest. 7 7

When the shaft 20 has completed its rotation, the clutch 22 is renderedoperative and the shaft 19 is brought to rest by the clutch 22 engagingextension 24' of lever 24.

Guide, pin 8 remains in the selected'p'osition until the beginning ofthe succeeding revolution of member 1, when cam surfaces 79 or 80.serve' is under the to-restore it to a position opposite the guideleading toswitch 67.

When line signals are distributed to magnets 50, which operate cams 51and 52 alone, then none of the slides 64, 65 and 66 are moved and pin 8,during the rotation of member 1, will enter the guide to the left ofswitches 67, 68 and '70 and assume position 201. In this position, theselecting pins 9 will be brought intoalignment with the first pull barof each group, and the pull bar in the group to the right in Fig. 1 willbe operated. I

It is evident that, by operating the magnets which control cams 53, 54and in various combinations, a path for guide pin 8 can be opened to anyof the positions 2014408 as desired; and the selecting pins 9 canbepositioned in front of any of the pull bars 41in each group.

The selection of a pull bar in the right-hand group, Fig. 2, has alreadybeen described. To select a pull bar in the second group counting fromthe right, it is only necessary to operate the proper combination ofmagnets 50 controlling cams 53, 54 and 55 and cam 51. Under thiscondition locking bar 27 will be positioned to the right, freeing theleft-hand bail 11 of each pair and locking the right-hand ones. Sincewith cam 51 operated clutch 22 will be released, the left-hand bail 11of the righthand pair will be operated and the pull bar in the desiredgroup will be selected.

To select the left-hand group of pull bars it is only necessary tooperate the proper combinations of cams 53, 54 and 55, since under thiscondition the left-hand ball ll of each pair will be free to operate andclutch 21 will be released, allowing shaft 18 to rotate. The secondgroupfrom the left is selected by operating 13 cam 52 in combination withdesired combina-- tions of cams 53,54 and 55, to select the particularpull bar desired. Under this condition the left-hand bail 11 of eachpair will be locked, leaving the right-hand ones free to operataand,since clutch 21 will be released, allowing shaft 13' to rotate, thesecond bail from the left will operate. 7

The foregoing description shows how the pins 9 are brought intoalignment with anyone. of the eight pull bars in their respectivegroups, how the particular group is selected, and how the particularpull bar selected is operated. As there are four pins 9, each capable ofselecting any pull bar of its group, it follows that thirtytwoselections may be made.

While I have illustrated the operating mechanism as being divided intotwo parts, each un-. dercontrol of a separate clutch 21 or 22, it isobvious, as shown in Fig. 9, that a single operating mechanismcontrolled by a single clutch can be substituted by altering the lockingarrangement for bails 11 so that only one of bails 11' will be free tomove. This is done by adding a second locking bar 27, controlled in thesame manner as the one shown but by. a separate knife-edged cam onmember 1, which takes the place of cam 25. The second locking bar 27will have projections corresponding to projections 30 and 31 but soarranged that, in the left-hand position, say, the left-hand pairofbails 11 would be locked, and in the right-hand position the right-handpair would be locked; The secondary shaft, controlled by a clutch 21and. carrying four cams 1'7" and one. cam 32,

' would be released by a projection member 1 groups in whichthe-selected element is located.

It is evident, however, that three units of each code signal could beused in a similar manner to choose one group out of eight.

What is claimed is: I 1

1. In a selector for a signalling. system where: inthe'signals arecomposed of diflerent permutations of a definite number of impulses ofop-. posite polarity,- magnets one for each impulse responsive invarious combinations according to the permutations of incoming signals,a rotatable member provided with slidable switches, an ad-- justablepin, selectable elements, andmeans controlled by the magnets in responseto a signal to position the slidable switches to determine a' selectedpath according to the particular per-j mutation of the incoming signalover. which, by rotation of said member, said pin is movable intoaselected position thereby to select one of saidv elements.

2. In a selector for a signallingv system wherein the signals arecomposed of different permu+ tations of a' definite numberof impulses ofop posite polarity, magnets one for each impulse responsive in variouscombinations according to the permutations of incoming signals, arotatable member having slidable switches thereon, an" adjustable pin, aplurality of elementa -means controlled by the magnets inresponse to asignal to position the slidable switches to determine a selected pathaccording to the particular permutation of the incoming signaloverwhich, by rotation of said member; said pin is movable. into a selectedposition thereby to select one ofs said elements, and meansrenderedeffective upon selection of said one element for operating it.

3. In a selector for signallingsystems wherein the signals are composedof diiierent perinuta tions ofa definite number of impulses ofoppositepolarity, magnets equal in number to the number of impulses andresponsive to incoming signals, a rotatable member having slidableswitches thereon, selectable'elements divided into groups, an operatingpin for each group, a connecting bar through-which saidoperating' pinsslidably extend,a guide pin fixed to said-bar, means controlled by saidmagnets in response to a signal to position one or more of theslidableswitches to determine with 'other'of the switches a selectedpath, according to the particular permutation of the incoming signal,over which said guide pin is movable into a selected position thereby toposition each said operating pin in alignment with a selected element ofthe respective groups, and means controlled by other of said slidableswitches to cause selectively the longitudinal movement of one o f saidoperating pins to operate the element in alignment therewith. I

a 4. In a selector for signalling systems-wherein the signals arecomposed, of different permutations of a definite number'ofimpulses'of'opposite polarity,'magnets equal in number to the number ofimpulses and responsive toincoming signals, a rotatable member providedwith slidable switches, selectable elements divided into groups, anoperating member for each group, a guide pin connected to saidoperating'members;

means controlled by said magnets in response to a signal to position'oneor more of the slidable switches to determine withother of the switchesa selected path, according to the particular permutation of the incomingsignal, over which said guide pin is movable into a selected positionthereby to position each said operating member in alignment with aselected element of the respective groups, and means controlled by otherof said slidable switches to select one of said operating members-tooperate the element.

5. In a selective. device the combination of a plurality of groups'ofelements, a selecting pin for each group, means for moving said pinssimultaneously an equal distance into alignment with correspondingindividual elements of the respective groups, means for selecting andoperating one of said pins, and means for thereafter operating theelement in alignment with the operated pin.

6. In a selector for signal controlled apparatus -Wherein the signalsare composed of different permutations of a definite number of impulsesof opposite polarity, magnets one for each impulse responsive in variouscombinations according to the permutations of the signals, selectableelements, a selecting member, means controlled by said magnets formoving said selectingmember into alignment with, and for causing theoperation of, the one of said selectable elements correspondingto the.permutations of the incoming signal.

sponsive' to said signal to cause relative move- 7. In a selector forsignal controlled apparatus wherein the signals are composed ofdifferent permutations of a definite number of impulses, magnets one foreach impulse responsive in various combinations according to thepermutations of the signals, a selecting member, a guide member havingfor said selecting .member a start point and a plurality of rest points,means for forming for said selecting member a free path between saidstart point and one of the rest points according to the permutationofthe signal, and means rement between said selecting and said guidemembers first to position said selecting memher at said. start point,and then to advance said selecting member along said formed free path tothe selected rest point corresponding to the permutation of the signal.

8. In a. selector for signal controlled apparatus wherein the. signalsare composed of different permutations of a definite number of impulses,magnets one for each impulse responsive in various combinationsaccording to the permutations of the signals, a selecting member, arotatable member having on the periphery thereof a guide with a narrowentrance and a wide base divided into a plurality of slots, fixed andmovable switches between. said entrance and said slots, means responsiveto a permutated signal so to set the movable switches during rotation ofsaid rotatable member as to form with the fixed switches a free path forsaid selecting member from said entrance tothe one of said slotscorguide entrance.

9. In a selector for a signalling system wherein the signals arecomposed of different permutations of a definite number of impulses '01opposite polarity, magnets one for each implurality of said switches toform a track, and. a selecting member co-operating with the track soformed and moved thereby into a selected position during rotation ofsaid rotatable member. 1 1

10. In a selector for a signalling. system wherein the signals arecomposed of diiferent permutations of a definite number of impulses ofopposite polarity, magnets. equal in number to the number of saidimpulses and responsive to incoming signals, permutation memberspositioned by said magnets according to the incoming signal, a rotatablemember having thereon slidable switches set by said positionedpermutation members during rotation of said rotatable member, cams onsaid member co-operating With a plurality of said switches to form atrack, a selecting member co-operating with the track so formed andmoved thereby into a selected position during rotation of said rotatablemember, a plurality of Work members arranged in groups, a plurality ofaxially movable bars one for each group moved simultaneously andtransversely to the axis thereof by said selecting member to select awork member in each a group predetermined by the selected positioning ofsaid selecting member, means controlled by other of said switches todetermine the one of the selected work members to be operated, and meansrendered effective upon such determination to move the corresponding barinto engagement .with the work member so determined and operating meansfor the work member so engaged.-

11. In a selector for. a signalling system wherein the signals arecomposed of different permutations of a definite number of impulses ofopposite polarity, magnets equal in number to the number of saidimpulses and responsive to incoming signals, permutation members movedfrom one position to another position by said magnets according to theincoming signal, a rotatable member having thereon slidable switches.set by said positioned permutation members during rotation of saidrotatable member, cams on said member co-operating with a plurality ofsaid switches to form a track, a selecting member co-operating with thetrack so formed and moved therebyinto a selected position duringrotation of said rotatable member, cams carried by said rotatable memberand made eiTective by rotation thereof to restore said permutationmembers to said one position immediately afterthe setting of saidslidable switches and before said selecting member reaches said selectedposition, whereby another signal combination may be set up on saidpermutation members before completion of the selecting function of thepreceding signal.

12. In a selector for a signalling system where-v in the signals arecomposed of different permutations of a definite number of impulses ofopposite polarity, magnets equal in number to the number of saidimpulses and responsiveto incoming signals, two-position permutationmembers normally latched in one position and unlatchedand moved intosaid other position upon response of said magnets according to theincoming. signal, a rotatable member' having thereon slidable switchesset by said positioned permutation members during rotation of saidrotatable member, cams on said memberco-operating with aplurality ofsaid switches to form a track, a selecting member cooperating with thetrack so formed and moved-thereby into a selected position'duringrotation of said rotatable member, and camscarried by and made ef-/fective by rotation of said rotatable member to mutation members duringrotation of said rotatable member, cams on said member co-operating witha plurality of said switches-to form a track, a selecting memberco-operating with the'track so formed and moved thereby into a 30selected position during rotation of said rotatable member, cams carriedby said rotatable member and made effective by rotation thereof torestore said permutation members to said one position before saidselecting member reaches said selected position, and means madeeffective by rotation of saidrotatable member to restore the setslidable switches to'the initial position thereof.

14. In a selector for a signalling system whereinthe signals arecomposed of different permutations of a definite number of impulses ofopposite polarity, magnets one for each impulse responsive in varyingcombinations I according to the incoming signals, two-positionpermutation members moved from one to another position by said magnetsaccording to the incoming signal, a rotatable member having thereonslidable switches set by said positioned permutation members duringrotation of said rotatable member, cams on said member co-operating witha plurality of said switches to form a track, a selecting membercooperating with the track so formed and moved thereby into a selectedposition during rotation of said rotatable member,

and stationary cams to engage the ends of and to restore the saidslidable switches to the original position thereof during rotation ofsaid rotatable member.

15. In a selector for a signalling system wherein the signals arecomposed of different permutations of a'definite number of impulses ofopposite polarity, magnets one for each impulse responsive in variouscombinations according to the incoming signals, two-position permutationmembers normally latched in one position and unlatched upon response ofsaid magnets according to the incoming signal, springs for moving theunlatched permutation members into said other position, a rotatablemember having thereon slidable switches set by said positionedpermutation members during rotation of said rotatable member, cams onsaid member co-operating with a plurality of said switches to form atrack, a selecting member co-operating with the track so formed andmoved thereby into a selected position during rotation of said rotatable:member, and earns carried by and made effective by rotation of said.rotatable member to restore the unlatched permu tation members tolatched position before 'said' selecting member reaches saidselectedposition.

,16. In' a selector for a signalling system where- Q in the signals arecomposed of different permutations of a definite number of impulses ofopposite polarity,

magnets one for each impulse responsive-in various combinationsaccordinglto the incoming signals, permutation; members positioned'bysaid'magnets according-to the incoming signal, a rotatable memberhavingthereon slidable switches setbylsaidlpositioned per mutation membersduring rotation of said rotatable member, cams on said memberco-operatin with a'plurality of said switches to form a track; aselecting member co-operating'v with the track so formedand movedthereby into aselected position during rotation of said rotatablemember,'andcams on said rotatable member effective during rotation thereof 2whilst said slidable switches arebeing set to guide said selectingmember into the'selectivelyformed track.

17. In a.- selector the combination of a rota table member, a pluralityof magnets responsive to incoming signals composed of differentpermutations of a definite number of impulses of opposite polarity, atwo-position cam foreach magnet moved to one position by energization Ithereof and to the other position under control of the'rotatable member,slidable switches on said member setin various combinations by saidcams-accordingto the energization of.v the magnets to form a traclcand aselecting member co-operating with the track so formed and moved therebyduring rotation of the rotatable member into aselected position. 18. Ina selector forasignalling systemwherein the signals are composed ofdifferent permutations of a definite number of impulses of oppositepolarity, magnets equal in number to the number of said impulses andresponsive in diiferent combinations to incoming signals according tothe permutations thereof, arotatable member having two spaced fixedperipheral cams and a plurality of fixed and a plurality of movable camsw'itches disposed therebetween, a twoposition cam for each magnet movedto one position by'energiz'ation thereof and to the other position undercontrol of the rotatable member,

means co-operating with said cams to set the movable cam switches invarious combinations according to the magnets energized whereby saidmovable cam switches and said fixed cam switchesco-operate to form atrack, and a selecting'member co-operating with the track so formed andmoved thereby during rotation of the rotatable member into a selectedposition.

19. In a selector for a signalling system where in the signals arecomposed of different permutations of a definite number of impulses ofopposite polarity, magnets equal in number to said number'of impulsesand responsive in different.

combinations toincoming signals according to 1 the permutation thereof,two-position permutation members moved into one position by the magnetsso responding, a rotatable member hav-l tioned members during rotationthereof, cams on said member co-operating with a.,plurality of saidswitches to form a track, a selecting member co-operating with the trackso formed and 'moved thereby during rotation of said member ing thereonslidable switches set by said posil to a selected position, andmeans'carried by said rotatable member. and effective during rotationthereof whilstthe selecting member .is

being so moved to progressively restore'the permutationmenibers to theinitial position-thereof.

20. In a selector for signal controlledapparatus wherein the signals arecomposedzof different permutations of a definite number of impulses ofopposite polarity, magnetsone 'for each impulse responsive in variouscombinations according to the 'permutations-ofthe signals, see

' group.

. lectable elements divided into groups, a selecting member for eachgroup, means controlled by a plurality of said magnets for moving saidselect ing member simultaneously into alignment with one of the elementsof eachgroup, means controlled by other of said magnets for selectingone of said groups, and means rendered efiective upon selection of thegroup and element to cause operation of the selected element of theselected 21. In aselector for signal controlled apparatus wherein thesignals are composed of differ-.

ent permutations of'a definite number of impulses of opposite polarity,magnets responsive in'difierent combinations according to thepermutations of the signals, permutation members controlled by and towhich the magnets transfer the received signal icombination, a rotatablemember, selecting switches thereon controlled by and to which thepermutation members trans-- fer. the received signal combination duringthe rotation of said member, selectable elements divided into groups, aselecting member for each group, means'controlled through theco-operation of several of the selecting switches for causing saidselecting members simultaneously to select a selectable element of eachgroup, means controlled by other of said selecting switches to selectone of said groups, and means rendered efiective upon selection of saidgroup andelement thereof to operate the-selected element thereof. I

22. In a selector according to claim '21, having means renderedeffective by the rotation of said rotatable member for progressivelyfreer ingsaid permutation members andthe several said switchesimmediately after transfer of the signal combination therefrom toreceive another signal combination.

23. Ina selector for signal controlledappa ratus, wherein the signalsare composed of different permutations of a definite number-of impulsesof two different characters, magnets one for each impulse responsive invarious combinations according to the permutations of the signals, aplurality of groups, of selectable ele-.

,ments, a selecting member for each group, means controlled by saidmagnets for moving said selecting.v members simultaneously an equaldistance' determined by, the permutation of the particular signal andinto alignment with COT-.4

responding individual selectable elements of the, respective groups,means for selecting and there-' afteroperatingone of said selectingmembers, and means for thereafter operating the selected selectableelement in alignment with the selected selecting member.

i 24. In a selector the combination of a rotatable member,electromagneticmeans responsive: to incoming signals composed ofdifferent permutations of a definite number of impulses of oppositepolarity, a two-position cam.forv each im- 25. In a selector thecombination of a rotatable member, electromagnet'means responsive toincoming signals composed of different permuta tions of a definitenumber of impulses of opposite polarity, slidable switches one for eachimpulse of fan-incoming 'fsignal mounted on said member, cam meanscontrolled by said electromagneticmeans .to set theswitches in' variouscombinations in accordance with the polarityof the signal impulses toform a track, and aselecting member co-operating with the track soformed and moved thereby during rotation of the rotatable member into aselected position.

Enwm PjB ANCROFT.

